Firstly why Hampton, Virginia?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Hampton
• State: Virginia
• Population: 137,148 people
• Hampton’s quick summary would be Known for the historic Hampton University and the beautiful beaches of the Hampton Roads area.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 12,000 annually
• Net Migration: -4000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 600
• Number of Homeless people: 150

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it features a military presence and coastal access attracting service members and families

Perk #1: Hampton Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 60%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $55,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Hampton is $55,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Hampton’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,410
• Property Tax %: 0.9%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,300
• Rent for an average house: $2,000
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Fox Hill
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Hampton, Phoebus, Buckroe, Coliseum, and probably could include Kecoughtan
• Avg. Age of Homes in Hampton: 61 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Hampton’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Hampton are  Government, Healthcare, and Retail
• Hampton Job Scene: limited job market primarily in military and services
• The General Tech Scene: diverse tech ecosystem centered around government and local businesses , ,
• Hampton Resident’s pay $1,100 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Hampton: 6%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 80 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 10

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Hampton

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-64 runs through Hampton connecting it to the coast
• Commute Time: 24 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic slowing on Mercury Boulevard
• Transportation Score: 28 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Hampton: 50,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.4
• No. of Car Washes: 4 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Hampton: dmv.virginia.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
• Local Airport: Newport News/Williamsburg International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Hampton’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in Hampton is best described as hot humid summers mild winters with moderate precipitation
• Winter Weather in Hampton i’d describe as cold with occasional rain
• Spring Weather in Hampton can be described as mild with rain likely
• Summer’s in Hampton are mostly warm and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Hampton is usually mild with sunny spells
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 29 days in summer
• Days in a row in Hampton below Freezing: 2
• Average Annual Rainfall: 45 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality generally maintained with few pollutants
• Hampton Winter Air average air quality influenced by nearby urban development

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Hampton Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Hampton 2
• While the number of trade schools inside Hamptons’s city limits are 2
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Hampton Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Hampton Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Hampton only Doctors is about 30
• Local Hospitals here is  3
• Full-time Hampton only Police Officers is about 240
• Crime Rate Index: 40/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Hampton’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
• Hampton’s Monthly Gym Membership: $40
• Hampton’s Water Quality Score: 78

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Hampton

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 5 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: coastal city with a blend of military history and community events
• You might enjoy live performances at the Hampton Coliseum
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Hampton  offers a lively nightlife with waterfront bars and restaurants creating a unique atmosphere for socializing

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Hampton

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes local diners and casual eateries
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 20 scattered around Hampton
• The Popular Sports Team is Hampton Pirates
• Top Level Political Climate in Hampton can be described as diverse community with a blend of conservative and liberal views
• Hampton’s Longer standing religious establishment is Hampton First United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Hampton Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Hampton has 20 Parks?
• Hampton City Park is Hampton’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Hampton Farmers Market normally open Saturday 8am-1pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, beach activities, and cycling

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Hampton Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Hampton can be described as urban lifestyle with a strong military presence and community events
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Hampton community festivals exploring parks picnics at beaches
• The Cities people commute to from Hampton are Virginia-Beach 19 miles away Chesapeake 10 miles away Portsmouth 7 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Hampton or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic slowing on Mercury Boulevard. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Hampton’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Fox Hill is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Hampton are Virginia-Beach 19 miles away Chesapeake 10 miles away Portsmouth 7 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 40 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Hampton has 2 days in a row below freezing and 29 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Hampton people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   150 homeless people living in Hampton. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general diverse community with a blend of conservative and liberal views could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Hampton.

Retiree & Senior Life in Hampton

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for financial assistance programs focused on taxes
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Waterford at Hampton
• Hampton Senior Center hosts community events health workshops and recreational activities for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Hampton, Virginia?

If Hampton, Virginia ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Hampton, Virginia, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!